Seth S. Holbrook
Partner
sholbrook
holbrookmurphy.com
Mobile: (617) 645-6730
Seth S. Holbrook has been a well-known member of the New England admiralty law community for many years. Before law school, he worked as an underwriter in the Ocean Marine division of a prominent insurer. A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, where he specialized in Ocean and Coastal Law matters, Mr. Holbrook is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. He has tried cases, both jury and non-jury, before courts in those jurisdictions and in Connecticut. He has also appeared before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on several occasions.
Mr. Holbrook has been involved in important cases affecting the New England maritime community, including cases resulting from the loss of the fishing vessel that was the centerpiece of The Perfect Storm and the largest boatyard fire in recent Massachusetts history. Additionally, he recently assisted in an amicable resolution of one of the more significant seafood warehouse fires litigated in Massachusetts. He also defended an engine repairer in litigation concerning a major tugboat fire and has been involved in several high profile pleasure boat accident cases. He recently concluded the successful resolution of a highly publicized amputation accident in Boston Harbor.
His practice is focused primarily on litigation, but he is also involved with transactional and administrative law work in the maritime arena.
Mr. Holbrook served as Skipper of the Mariners Club of Massachusetts and is a long time Proctor member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States. An avid boater, he keeps current on developments in the maritime field.
His clients range from multinational insurance companies to small boat owners. Mr. Holbrook has spoken before various maritime industry groups over the years and his advice is frequently sought by practitioners throughout New England. He was recently named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer.
Outside of the office, Mr. Holbrook, an Eagle Scout, previously served on the Executive Board of the Spirit of Adventure Council, Boy Scouts of America. He was recently awarded the N.E.S.A Outstanding Eagle Scout Award.
Robert J. Murphy
Partner
rmurphyholbrookmurphy.com
Robert J. Murphy’s practice is quite broad, leveraging numerous areas of expertise for his clients’ benefit. He represents domestic and international clients and their insurers in a wide variety of commercial and maritime matters. Bob has extensive experience defending personal injury and death claims under the Jones Act, DOHSA and the general maritime law. He has advocated for his clients in the areas of maritime collisions, property damage, demurrage, cargo losses, charter party disputes, salvage, oil pollution and regulatory matters. He has litigated many of the leading Massachusetts cases concerning admiralty and maritime matters.
Bob also represents and advises underwriters and brokers in all aspects of insurance coverage disputes and first party claims. On the transactional side, Bob represents and counsels commercial institutions, vessel owners and vessel operators in negotiating and drafting agreements and in connection with financing.
Bob was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Plymouth State College in 1986, where he was on the President’s List and played second row for the rugby team. He received his J.D., cum laude, from New England School of Law in 1990. In law school, Bob served as a Judicial Intern in the Suffolk, Middlesex and Essex Superior Courts. He was also a Senior Editor of the New England Law Review and a New England Scholar. He won the American Jurisprudence Award for Trial Competition, the American College of Trial Lawyers Medal for Excellence in Advocacy and the Trustees Award for Service.
Bob is a Proctor Member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States and a frequent writer and lecturer on commercial and maritime topics.
Daniel C. Kelley
Partner
dkelleyholbrookmurphy.com
Daniel C. Kelley holds a United States Coast Guard Second Mate (Unlimited) License as well as a 1600 Ton Master’s License and received his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. In law school, Dan was a member of the Transnational Law Review and a Student Attorney with Suffolk Law’s nationally ranked defense clinic. Before law school Dan graduated, magna cum laude, from Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and a United States Coast Guard Third Mates License. Dan received honors for earning the highest grade point average in the Marine Transportation Major.
After graduating from the Academy, Dan sailed deep sea in the United States Merchant Marine with the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command. Dan spent his time with Military Sealift Command sailing on Dry Cargo/ Fuel and Ammunition ships and Fleet Ocean Tug Boats as a Second and Third Officer. Dan delivered fuel and ammunition to U.S. Navy ships at sea during Underway Replenishment Operations, conducted salvage/dive operations with U.S. Navy Divers, and planned and participated in voyages including towing decommissioned nuclear submarines through the Panama Canal.
Since joining Holbrook & Murphy, Dan has represented clients in various maritime matters including vessel documentation, contract drafting, collisions, property damage, cargo disputes, Jones Act and general maritime law claims, limitation of liability proceedings, as well as subrogation actions.
Francis X. Downey
Associate
jdowneyholbrookmurphy.com
Francis “Jake” Downey began his career at Holbrook & Murphy as a law clerk before receiving his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts.
Born and raised in coastal Maine, Jake is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where he earned a degree in both Business Management and Communications. While at UNH, he held the position as President of one of the largest organizations on campus and was awarded the highest individual award as a member of the Greek community. Prior to attending law school, Jake worked at a Cambridge based start-up company handling business development matters with large insurance carriers. He also leased and sold real estate leading up to and throughout law school.
Since joining Holbrook & Murphy, Jake has represented clients in various maritime matters including Jones Act and general maritime law claims, transactional matters, collisions, cargo disputes, property damage, insurance coverage disputes, as well as subrogation actions.